Turn-Ons: Fun, FREE, skill-learning adventure that'll make your circus dreams feel accessible.
Turn-Offs: Only that, after one lesson, I'm still not good enough to quit my day job.
Rate My Date:
- Not My Type
- 1 Night Stand
- Crush
In Love
- Happily Ever After
I'd just stuffed myself at Empanada Mama and decided to walk through Times Square to get to my much needed calorie-burning Redcord class. After dodging Elmo, Hello Kitty, the naked cowboy plus the sidewalk-barricading, sky-scraper gawking, GAP-wearing tourists; I found respite in Bryant Park. And in an instant I became the tourist. In my own city! How have I never hung out in this beautiful urban park designed in the French Classical tradition and chock-full of adult fun in the form of lounge chairs and libations, petanque and ping-pong, 'Wichcraft and free wi-fi and... juggling. Yes, juggling!
In a rare moment of spontaneity I decided to join this free class along with a small group of other adults who, like myself, had probably always dreamed of running off with the circus. And this wasn't just some ball tossing free-for-all. It was a patiently-guided, methodical learning process about the timing and technique behind juggling three balls. In a mere thirty minutes I was proud juggler; albeit a novice juggler which necessitated lots of dashing after wayward balls! But here's the cool thing: I felt my spirit become light, playful and worry-free. I didn't care that I'd just consumed about 1,000 calories in one meal. I didn't care about the silly costumed characters and tourists that blocked the seamless flow of sidewalk traffic. I didn't care about the fact that I'm still single and haven't been on a date since the turn of the century. My mind was too preoccupied with rhythmically tossing balls in the air and catching them. It was such a great reminder that there are so many random opportunities for fun in this city if I just maintain a spontaneous attitude and an open mind.
Not only did I fall in love with the idea of actually mastering the skill of juggling, but Bryant Park made my heart go pitter-pat with greater appreciation for all the cool stuff NYC has to offer; even on a budget.
Bryant Park Juggling
Bryant Park: between 40th & 42nd Streets and Fifth & Sixth Avenues
Getting There By Subway:
- B, D, F, M to 42nd Street at Bryant Park
- 7 to Fifth Avenue
